Page 1 of 1 With the technical regulations remained unchanged compared to 2002, McLaren opted to run the 2002 car in the first races of the 2003 season. A practice which lay the base for Ferrari's domination in 2002. The McLaren fielded in the first races of the 2003 season is an evolution of the MP4/17 used in 2002, with various bits of the upcoming MP4/18 already bolted on.

Like Ferrari did last year, McLaren proved it a very successful tactic. The first to races were won by the MP4/17D; in Australia David Coulthard was victorious and in Malaysia Kimi Raikkonen scored his maiden victory. The first European race will probably see the introduction of the MP4/18. Page 1 of 1